Acoustic Search

[OsirisProtocol]

I'm looking for an acoustic that I can take around without having to worry too much. Something to go back and forth to band practice and maybe just play out in the streets and parks and such when the band wants to just chill. My absolute price limit is $500 but that is if I save up. I've been looking around and a few acoustics that caught my eye. I can't seem to find any shops in my area that stock anything but the one Parkwood. I have listed so I can't try any of these guitars out.

 

Acoustics:

Alvarez RD20S

I've read good things about Alvarez in reviews alot lately. Never really actually heard anyone talk about them though on the forums or in person.

 

Parkwood PW310M

This is the only guitar out of the lot that I played. I never heard of the brand before and honestly it surprised me. It wasn't fantabular but at the time I wasn't looking for an acoustic so I wasn't really into the guitars I was playing that day. This guitar seems to be my best bet but it is also pretty pricey in terms of my current range. I don't mind as long as it is totally worth it.

 

Washburn WD32SW

This guitar seems to be my second best bet and more budget friendly. Reviews really liked the guitar.

 

Yamaha FG730S Based on recommendation I'll give one a whirl.

[JasmineTea]

Martin D-X. The one with the solid spruce top, not to be confused with the other one with HPL top. They sound surprizingly good, they double as a canoe paddle, and they don't cost an arm and a leg. I think prices just went up, but the last time I priced one the dealer told me something around $400.

I'm not familiar with the one's you've listed, sorry.

http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/choosing/guitars.php?p=s&g=X&m=DX1

[OsirisProtocol]

Will definitely check them out. Just have one issue... What does Martin mean by mahogany patterned finish for the back and sides for the guitar? That makes me think its not real wood.

[JasmineTea]

No, it's not real wood. It's called HPL - high pressure laminate. The top is solid, though. If you're phobic about laminate, you should stay away from Martin's X and road series.

 

Too bad you can't get to a shop and try some guitars out. If you can up the amount you want to spend to around $800 (maybe less), you can get a really great guitar in Larrivee's 03 series.

 

I'm afraid I'm not much good at recomending guitars in the below $500 range. But i know there's a few people around here who are....Oh yeah, check out Seagul. Some of the other Canadian guitars are a good buy too, and all solid.

[adlo76]

If you're in NY, I'll ship you this for $500 with hardcase. It's like new

[JasmineTea]

Check this out:

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Masterbilt-AJ500R-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=518103

[OsirisProtocol]

Check this out: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Masterbilt-AJ500R-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=518103

 

I forgot to note that I have hated every Epi acoustic I have played. I am not sure if I played that one in particular but I will definitely try it out and see what I think.

[adlo76]

Yea, I hear you about the orange... the only reason I liked it was because it's a stain so you can see the wood grain below..it's not solid orange.

It plays,feels, and sounds great. I'm only selling it because it was an impulse buy, I don't play acoustic much, and my old Cort is still my favorite when I do.

Here's some info from Gretsch's website:
http://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/index.php?product=G5022C&cat1=&cat2=&q=&st=1

If you're truely interested, make me an offer.

[JasmineTea]

I I forgot to note that I have hated every Epi acoustic I have played. I am not sure if I played that one in particular but I will definitely try it out and see what I think.

I used to feel the same way about Epiphone acoustics untill recently. The Epiphone Masterbuilts get good revues around here.

 

Spam, on the other hand, does'nt...

[OsirisProtocol]

I used to feel the same way about Epiphone acoustics untill recently. The Epiphone Masterbuilts get good revues around here. Spam, on the other hand, does'nt...

 

 

At this point in the game with me anything is worth a shot. So I'll give them a once over and see how I feel about the masterbuilts.

[happy-man]

I think the Yamaha FG700S is great for the money, $200. The difference, I think, in the different guitars in that series, 700,720,730, etc. is different laminates in back/sides, and various frills. One might have fancier looking tuner knobs. They all have solid spruce tops and play/sound the same (IMO). I'd go for the 700S, unless your into spending 100s more for looks.

I own a 12 string Martin in the series with HPL back/sides (D12X1). I really like it. But I really don't like the 6 string version of the same guitar, the DX1. This is just my tastes; I don't care for the sound. I would not suggest buying one of these without hearing it first. We all have different sound tastes. I've never played a Fender acoustic that I've liked. I generally like Taylor 6 strings. (If that gives you any feel for my tastes.) I think the FG700S is a sweet guitar for $200.

Scott O

[OsirisProtocol]

Well now that you mention it I just spent some time thinking about the Yamaha acoustic. I'm going to see if I can get a hold of the 700s through 730s models and see how I like them. I've never been to fond of Yamaha guitars simply by their name alone and thats just judging a book by its cover. I have played one and worked on one for a friend of mine. It didn't impress me at all. It had good volume but that was about it. Nothing spectacular about this guitar. I'll have to ask him what model it is. I'll check out the Yamaha's and see what I think of them now. As for the Martin's I think I will just end up staying clear of any of the lower end models unless one jumps out at me. You and me both dislike Fender acoustics. Never liked any that I touched.